[CivilSoc] Strengthening Russia's Local Business Associations

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CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE ENTERPRISE
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 16, 2002
Contact:
Jorge Amselle
(202) 721-9200
jamselle@cipe.org
New Program Seeks to Improve Russian Business Climate
Moscow--The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) in
partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian
Federation (RCCI) and the Union of Business Associations of Russia (OPORA)
was awarded a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
grant to support Small and Medium Enterprise Policy Advocacy.
Evgeny Primakov, President of RCCI said, "SME policy advocacy is a priority
area for us, and we appreciate very much the assistance of CIPE in terms of
knowledge and experience transfer."  The Russian Chamber of  Commerce and
Industry (RCCI) unites over 20,000 enterprises of various sectors,
organizational and legal forms, 75% of which are small- and medium-sized
businesses.
This project will strengthen the ability of local business associations to
advocate for improvements in administrative policies affecting small and
medium-sized enterprises in the Russian Federation. CIPE and its Russian
partners will provide training, technical assistance, and information
resources to local business associations.
Monica Stein-Olson, USAID/Russia Deputy Mission Director said, "This project
is representative of USAID's commitment to helping the  private sector in
Russia have a strong voice in promoting economic growth and prosperity by
working with policy makers."
John D. Sullivan, CIPE Executive Director, agreed and added that "The
challenge of improving the business environment lies not only in identifying
barriers to change but also in focusing efforts to working with the business
community to clearly advocate needed reforms."
"Sergey Borisov, President of OPORA, a union of business associations,
added, "We will be able to develop small business in Russia only when we
move from confrontation between the business community and the government to
partnership."  OPORA represents Russia's small- and medium-sized business
community and advocates government on both federal and local levels for
reforms that will improve the country's small business climate."
Project objectives will include improving organizational sustainability,
promoting policy reform through regional business agendas, building local
business advocacy coalitions, and coordinating local initiatives with
national-level efforts when appropriate. Advocacy information and linkages
will be provided through a new Russian  Enterprise, Association, and Chamber
Terminal (REACT) on-line network.
CIPE is a non-profit affiliate of the U.S Chamber of Commerce and one of the
four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy. CIPE has
supported more than 700 local initiatives in over 80 developing countries,
involving the private sector in policy advocacy, institutional reform,
improving governance, and building understanding of market-based democratic
systems. CIPE programs are also supported through the United States Agency
for International Development.